Method of use of a high pressure solid removal system

ABSTRACT

A method for removing particlesParticles are removed from a high pressure flow stream entailsby flowing the high pressure flow stream into an inlet of a high pressure trap and flowing the flow stream from the inlet  into a tube in the high pressure trap. The tube is adapted to accelerate the flow stream. The flow stream leaves the tube and de-accelerates as the stream flows into a chamber. The method continues by contacting theThe flow stream withcontacts a plate wound helically around an outside surface of the tube. The plate creates a cyclonic effect within the flow stream to remove particles from the flow stream. The particles are collected in a reservoir. The remainingRemaining particles are removed by flowing the flow stream towards a side outlet over the plate. The methods end by collecting theThe remaining particles are collected in athe reservoir forming collected particles and dumping the. The collected particles are periodically dumped from the reservoir.

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application No.Ser. 10/345,520, filed on Jan. 16, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,893,558,which claims priority to U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No.60/352,450, filed on Jan. 28, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present embodiments relate to methods for the removal of sand, orrock or other particulate matter from a flow stream at high pressure,before the flow stream reaches manifolds or other production or drillingequipment with moving parts, which is typically called a sand knock outsystem.

The present embodiments relate further relate to methods of use to ofequipment associated with a fluid producing well. In particular, thepresent embodiments relate to methods of use of an apparatus forseparating sand from the fluids extracted produced from a well. Thedescription, which follows, discloses the present embodiments in usewith an oil well or a natural gas well, but the present embodiments arenot limited to such use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A need exists for a device for well completions, which is inexpensiveand can maintain sustain the high pressure of a the well, typically inthe range of 15,000 psi, while removing particles particulate mattersuch as sand from the flow stream.

In flowing fluids from a well, such as an oil well, or natural gas well,certain difficulties may arise depending upon the a nature of the fluidsbeing extracted. Frequently, sand is encountered as fluid is taken fromthe well. Sand, rock, and plug material must needs to be separated fromthe liquid or natural gas flow to keep the completions well completionrunning. If equipment is employed to remove the fluids, it is desirablethat the rock and sand be removed from the other fluids or gasses beforethe liquid and/or natural fluid or gas enters the equipment, or theequipment may stop working as effectively.

Particulate matter, especially sand, tends to abrade the moving surfacesinto which the sand-bearing liquids, dry gas, wet gas and similar flowstreams come into contact. For example, production equipment has asignificantly shortened working lifetime when the liquids carry sand orother abrasive particulate matter.

Sand strainers are commercially available for insertion into a wellcasing to separate sand or other particulate matter from a flow stream.A need exists for a sand or rock remover, which performs at highpressures, such as between 8,000, and 20,000 psi.

While drilling or during operations, material coming flowing from thewell can include a combination of oil, natural gas and sand and possiblyrock in the flow stream. The rock and sand impede the flow of the oil ornatural gas or desired material coming flowing from the well. A need hasexisted to reduce the amount of sand in the flowing oil or natural gasflowing from a well. The invention provides a method to reduce sand inthe oil or natural gas flow from a well.

For purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated inthe drawings and specific language will be used to describe it. It willnevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is thereby intended. Alterations and modifications of theillustrated device are contemplated, as are such further applications ofthe principles of the invention as would normally occur to one skilledin the art to which the invention pertains.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a method of removing particulate matter from aflow stream produced by a well, comprising: connecting the flow streamto an inlet at a top of a particle trap so that the flow stream enters atop of a tube connected to the top of the particle trap and flowsdownwardly through the tube; providing a chamber at a bottom of the tubewhere the flow stream decelerates and a portion of the particulatematter falls out of the flow stream and collects at a bottom of thechamber as the flow steam is redirected upwardly around an outside ofthe tube; providing a plate wound helically around an outside surface ofthe tube to create a cyclonic effect in the flow stream as the flowstream flows upwardly around the tube so that more of the particles dropto the bottom of the chamber; providing a side outlet for the flowstream near a top of the chamber above a top end of the plate; andproviding a dump outlet at a bottom of the chamber to permit theparticulate matter to be removed from the bottom of the chamber.

The invention further provides a method of removing particulate matterfrom a high pressure flow stream produced by a well, comprising:connecting the high pressure flow stream to an inlet at a top of a highpressure particle trap so that the high pressure flow stream enters atop end of a tube connected to the top of the high pressure particletrap and flows downwardly through the tube; providing a chamber below abottom of the tube where the high pressure flow stream decelerates and aportion of the particulate matter falls out of the high pressure flowstream and collects at a bottom of the chamber as the high pressure flowstream is redirected upwardly around an outside of the tube; providing aplate helical plate around an outside surface of the tube that creates acyclonic effect in the high pressure flow stream as the high pressureflow stream flows upwardly around the tube and the plate so that more ofthe particulate matter is removed from flow stream and drops to thebottom of the chamber; providing a side outlet for the high pressureflow stream near a top end of the high pressure particle trap; andproviding a dump outlet at a bottom of the chamber to permit accumulatedparticulate matter to be removed from the bottom of the chamber.

The invention yet further provides a method of removing particulatematter from a high pressure flow stream produced by a hydrocarbon well,comprising: connecting the high pressure flow stream to an inlet at atop of a high pressure particle trap so that the high pressure flowstream enters a top of a tube connected to the inlet and flowsdownwardly through the tube and is dispersed by a deflector platesuspended from a bottom of the tube; providing a particle trap chamberbelow the bottom of the tube where the high pressure flow streamdecelerates and a portion of the particulate matter falls out of thehigh pressure flow stream and collects at a bottom of the particle trapchamber as the high pressure flow steam is redirected upwardly around anoutside of the tube; providing a helical plate connected to an outsidesurface of the tube to create a cyclonic effect in the high pressureflow stream as the high pressure flow stream flows upwardly around thetube following the helical plate, so that more of the particulate matterdrops out of the high pressure flow stream and falls to the bottom ofthe particle trap chamber; providing a side outlet for the high pressureflow stream near a top of the high pressure particle trap; and providinga dump outlet at a bottom of the chamber with a dump outlet controllerto permit accumulated particulate matter to be removed from the chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present embodiments will be explained in greater detail withreference to the appended Figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematicflow diagram of an embodiment of a method forremoving particlesparticulate matter from a high pressure flow stream;and

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a high pressure device or trap forremoving particlesparticulate matter from a flow stream from a highpressure well through a Christmas tree .

The present embodiments are detailed described below with reference tothe listed Figures drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining the present embodiments in detail, it is to beunderstood that the embodiments are not limited to the particularembodiments herein and it can be practiced or carried out in variousways.

The present embodiments are for methods of use of a sand trap or devicefor collecting rock, sand, or other particulate matter from a highpressure well. The methods provide a simple particulate removal device,particularly adapted for removing sand from flow streams as they comefrom the well. The methods further remove water-borne sand, or oil-bornesand, or both from a flow stream.

The present embodiments contemplate using a high pressure device toremove particles such as sand from a flow stream of a high pressure wellwhile the device maintains sustains the full pressure of the well.

The high pressure methods for removing particles from the flow stream ofa high pressure well entail flowing the high pressure flow stream intoan inlet; flowing the flow stream into a tube; and ejecting flowing theflow stream from the tube into a chamber thereby changing the velocityof the flow stream. A plate is wound helically around the outsidesurface of the tube to contact the flow stream creating a cycloniceffect that removes particles from the flow stream. Some of theparticles removed from the flow stream are collected into in areservoir, thereby forming a cleaner flow stream. The remainingparticles Particles are removed from the cleaner flow stream are removedwhile by flowing the cleaner flow stream toward a side outlet over theplate. The remaining Those particles are also collected in the bottomreservoir. The methods end by dumping the The collected particles aredumped from the bottom reservoir using a dump outlet controller.

Preferably, the device comprises an inlet port connected to a Christmastree; a flange connected to the inlet port, a chamber connected to a topflange, a bottom flange connected to the chamber, a bottom reservoirformed in the chamber, a side wall connecting the top flange and thebottom flange, and wherein the side wall comprises a side outlet influid communication with a choke manifold; a dump outlet incommunication with the bottom reservoir and connected to the bottomflange; and a dump outlet controller for opening and closing the dumpoutlet. In addition, a tube is connected to the top flange and the tubehas a plate, which winds around the outside of the tube in a helicalfashion creating a cyclonic effect with the flow stream.

In an alternative embodiment, the device includes a sand separator foruse in separating sand and other particulates from a flow stream. Thesand separator includes a deflector used at the end of the a tube todeflect fluids from the tube and into the a chamber. The plates Platesare oriented on the outside of the tube such that the plates cause acyclonic effect within the chamber as the flow stream moves from thetube orifice to the an outlet of the chamber. The high velocity orificeof the tube through which liquids are expelled into the sand trappingchamber expels sand and particulate matter carried by the flow streamand accelerates the flow stream through the high velocity orifice . Theflow stream is decelerated as the stream enters the sand trappingchamber because the sand trapping chamber has a greater flow sectionarea than the inlet tube. This change in flow section area changes thevelocity of the flow stream causing a portion of the sand andparticulate matter carried by the flow stream to fall to a bottomreservoir. As the flow stream passes up the an outside of the tubingalong the plates on the outside surface; the remaining sand andparticulate matter drop toward the bottom of the sand trapping chamberand are collected in the bottom reservoir. Sand and particulate matteradditionally collected on the plates fall to the bottom reservoir. Thebottom reservoir is opened to allow egress of the sand and particulatematter from the sand trapping chamber.

With reference to the figures, FIG. 1 is a schematic of an embodiment ofa method for removing particles from a high pressure flow stream. Themethod begins by flowing the high pressure flow stream into an inlet ofa high pressure trap (Step 100) and flowing the flow stream from theinlet into a tube in the high pressure trap, wherein the tube is adaptedto accelerate the flow stream (Step 110). The methods can include thestep of flowing the stream over a deflector, which is preferably, a “c”shaped deflector.

The flow stream travels from the tube into a chamber in the highpressure trap (Step 120). The chamber is adapted to de-accelerate theflow stream (Step 120). The flow stream contacts the plate woundhelically around an outside surface of the tube (Step 130). The platecreates a cyclonic effect with the flow stream, thereby forcingparticles to fall from the flow stream. The particles from the flowstream are collected in a reservoir located in the chamber (Step 140).

The remaining particles are removed from the cleaner flow stream byflowing the cleaner flow stream toward a side outlet over the plate(Step 150). The remaining particles are collected in the reservoir andthe collected particles are dumped from the reservoir (Step 160).

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a high pressure device or trap 10 forremoving particles from a flow stream 8that flows from a high pressurewell through a Christmas tree 14, such as an oil well or natural gaswell, wherein the trap maintainssustains the full pressure (psi) of thewell.

In the most preferred embodiment, the trap 10 has an inlet port 12connected to the Christmas tree 14. A typical inlet port size has a 3-1/16″ ID with a 15,000 psi working pressure. A top flange 18 connects tothe inlet port 12. The flange 18 engages a chamber 16 and bottom flange20. A typical chamber has a 13 ⅝″ ID with a typical length of 7 feet. Aside wall 17 connects between top flange 18 and bottom flange 20. Bottomflange 20 connects to a bottom reservoir 22. A side outlet 23 isdisposed in the side wall 17 is in fluid communication with a chokemanifold 21. The side outlet typically has 3- 1/16″ ID with a 15,000 psiworking pressure. A dump outlet 24 is connected to the bottom flange 20and is in communication with the bottom reservoir 22. The dump outlettypically has a 2- 1/16″ ID with a 15,000 psi working pressure.

A dump outlet controller 26 can be connected to the dump outlet 24 andused for opening and closing the dump outlet 24. The dump outletcontroller 26 can be a manual valve or manual controller, oralternatively, a hydraulic valve or hydraulic controller. The mostpreferred dump controller 26 is a combination of a hydraulic gate valveand a hydraulic choke. Either a hydraulic gate valve or a manual devicecan be used. An example of a usable hydraulic gate valve is a CooperCameron type FC 2- 1/16″ ID with a 15,000 psi working pressure. Atypical manual dump controller can be a plug valve with 15,000 psiworking pressure.

Continuing with FIG. 2, a tube 28 is secured to the top flange 18. Thetube 28 has a first end 50 connected to the top flange 18, and a secondend 30 opening into the chamber 16. The tube 28 has an inside surface(not shown) and an outside surface 34. A tube 28 is typically 5 feetlong with an inner diameter of 3″. A plate 38 is disposed on the outsidesurface 34 of the tube 28 and is oriented in a helical arrangementaround the outside surface 34. The tube 28 is mounted within the chamber16 to the top flange 18 such that the tube 28 does not contact the sidewall 17 of the chamber 16. The tube 28 is disposed between the bottomreservoir 22 and the side outlet 23.

The top flange 18 and the bottom flange 20 can each be one flange, twoflanges bolted together, or a flange and a plate bolted together. Boltsare the preferred attaching means of the tubing, flanges, inlets andoutlets to facilitate repair of the flange and the trap. Preferably, thetop flange 18 is about 8- 1/16″ thick with a 34-⅞″ OD and a 3- 1/16″ID.The top flange 18 can be bolted to the chamber with about 20 bolts, eachbolt being about 21″ in length with a 2¼″ diameter. The bottom flange 20can be identical to the top flange 18 in the most preferred embodiment,although the flanges can be different in size and still be workable inthe invention.

In a preferred embodiment, a deflector 40 is mounted on the second end30 of the tube 28 to increase the dispersion of the flow stream as thestream exits the second end 30 of the tube 28. The deflector 40 istypically 3″ across wide and 6″ wide long. The deflector 40 can have arounded downward shape similar to a downwardly facing “c” shape. Thetube 28 is connected near the center of the “c” to facilitate thedispersion of the flow stream into the chamber. Other deflectors couldbe used which are conical, plates or box shaped.

The sand trap can sustain pressures between 8,000 psi and 20,000 psi,most preferably between 10,000 psi and 15,000 psi, and specifically, thepressure of the well. The flow rate through the trap can be between 1million cubic feet per day and 400 million cubic feet per day fornatural gas and between 200 barrels per day and 5000 barrels per day foroil.

The apparatus used in the methods is designed such that the helicallywound plate creates a cyclonic effect in the chamber and producinginterference with the flow of the particles from the second end of thetube 28 to the side outlet 23. This plate can be formed from one platecut from metal or can be made from metal segments, such as segmentedplates welded together.

The helical plates 38 attached to the outside surface of the tube mostpreferably have a dimension of a 13½″ OD welded to the 4½″ OD of thetube 28. Typically, about 40 to 50 plates, preferably 45 plates, arewelded together to form the helical plates.

In an alternative embodiment, the wall of the chamber can be coated witha ceramic material, a graphic graphite composite material orcombinations of these to improve reduce wear on the chamber. Similarly,the inside surface of the tube 28 can be coated with the same materialor combination to improve reduce wear. Additionally, the high pressuretrap can be made from a low an alloy steel.

The trap and methods can be used collect particles, such as rocks, sand,cement, and drillable plug particles. Other particulate material can betrapped as well.

The methods can utilize a sand separator to separate sand and otherparticulates from a flow being extracted stream from a well. The sandseparator includes an inlet for receiving the fluids; a sand trappingchamber coupled to the inlet; and a tube, with plates on the outsidesurface, for accelerating the flow being extracted stream from the well.A deflector is located on one end of the tube for deflecting the fluidsfrom the tube into the chamber. The tube has a high velocity orificethrough which liquids are expelled into the sand-trapping chamber. Thevelocity of the flow rate stream is decreased as the flow stream entersthe chamber. The liquids fluids and any sand and particulate mattercarried by the liquids fluids are accelerated through the high velocityorifice propelled against the deflector. A portion of the sand falls toa bottom reservoir. The fluid flow passes up the outside of the tubealong the plates on the outside surface. The fluid flow changes usingcreating a cyclonic effect to a laminar flow as it pass passes over theplates. Sand and particulate matter falls to the bottom of thesand-trapping chamber and is collected in the bottom reservoir. Sand andparticulate matter collected on the plates also falls to the bottomreservoir. The bottom reservoir is opened to allow egress of the sandand particulate matter from the chamber. The sand separator can be usedto extract small particulate matter from both gaseous and liquidcomponents.

The devices and methods described above can be used with various typesof production, completion and drilling equipment, including standardtubing completions, concentric completions, casing tubing, dualcompletions, and other multiple zone completions. All of these arecompatible with no modification or special treatment necessary to thesand trap unless the sand trap needs to be installed subsea. For subseaapplications, the devices and methods can be used on diver lessdiver-less, diver assist diver-assist, spool trees, platform tieback,side valve trees, vertical production tress trees, multi-well trees andseveral or any combination of the above. The devices and methods can beused with all choke manifolds that , which serve the purpose which is ofcontrolling flow and reducing pressure. The choke manifold can be adrilling, production, well testing or more sophisticated subseamanifold.

While these embodiments have been described with emphasis on thepreferred embodiments, it should be understood that within the scope ofthe appended claims the embodiments might be practiced other than asspecifically described herein.

1. A method for removing particles from a high pressure flow stream froma hydrocarbon well, comprising the steps of: a. flowing the highpressure flow stream into an inlet of a high pressure trap; b. flowingthe flow stream from the inlet into a tube in the high pressure trap,wherein the tube is adapted to accelerate the flow stream; c. ejectingthe flow stream from the tube into a chamber in the high pressure trapadjacent a second end of the tube, wherein the chamber is adapted tode-accelerate and redirect the flow stream along an outside surface ofthe tube to flow upwardly in a direction opposite the first direction;d. contacting the flow stream with a plate wound helically around theoutside surface of the tube, wherein the plate is adapted to create acyclonic effect with the flow stream; e. collecting a portion of theparticles from the flow stream in a bottom reservoir forming a cleanerflow stream; f. removing the remaining particles from the cleaner flowstream while flowing the cleaner flow stream over the plate and toward aside outlet adjacent a first end of the tube; g. collecting theremaining particles in the bottom reservoir forming collected particles;and h. dumping the collected particles from the bottom reservoir.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the high pressure trap comprises: a. theinlet; b. the chamber comprising the reservoir; i. a top flangeconnected to the inlet; ii. a bottom flange connected to the bottomreservoir; and iii. a side wall connecting the top flange and the bottomflange, wherein the side wall comprises a side outlet in fluidcommunication with a choke manifold; c. a dump outlet in communicationwith the reservoir; d. a dump outlet controller adapted to open andclose the dump outlet; e. a tube disposed in the chamber, wherein thetube comprises the plate disposed on the outside surface of the tube,wherein the plate is oriented in a helical arrangement around theoutside surface, and wherein the tube is mounted within the chamber tochange the velocity of the flow stream the flow stream is passed fromthe tube into the chamber.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the inletis connected to a Christmas tree.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein thechamber further comprises a top flange connected to the inlet; a bottomflange connected to the reservoir; and a side wall connecting the topflange and the bottom flange, wherein the side wall comprises a sideoutlet in fluid communication with a choke manifold.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the step of flowing the high pressure flow stream intothe inlet of the high pressure trap is performed at pressures rangingfrom about 8,000 psi to about 20,000 psi.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein the step of flowing the high pressure flow stream into the inletof the high pressure trap is performed at pressures ranging from about10,000 psi to about 15,000 psi.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein thestep of flowing the high pressure flow stream into the inlet of the highpressure trap is performed at a flow rate between 1 million cubic feetper day and 400 million cubic feet per day.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the step of contacting the flow stream with the plate woundhelically around the tube plate creates a cyclonic effect in the chamberproducing interference with the flow of the particles.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the step of dumping the collected particles from thereservoir utilizes a dump outlet controller adapted to open and close adump valve connected to the reservoir.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein the dump valve is a mechanical valve or a hydraulic mechanism.11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of contacting theflow stream with a deflector secured to the tube.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the deflector consists of a rounded downward shape.13. The method of claim 1, wherein the particles are a member of thegroup consisting of rock, sand, cement, drillable plug particles, andcombinations thereof.
 14. A method of removing particulate matter from aflow stream produced by a well, comprising: connecting the flow streamto an inlet at a top of a particle trap so that the flow stream enters atop of a tube having only one inside surface and being connected to thetop of the particle trap, so that the fluid flows downwardly through thetube and contacts only the one inside surface of the tube before beingexpelled from the tube; providing a chamber at a bottom of the tubewhere the flow stream decelerates and a portion of the particulatematter falls out of the flow stream and collects at a bottom of thechamber as the flow stream is redirected upwardly around an outside ofthe tube; providing a plate wound helically around an outside surface ofthe tube to create a cyclonic effect in the flow stream as the flowstream flows upwardly around the tube so that more of the particulatematter drops to the bottom of the chamber; providing a side outlet forthe flow stream near the top of the particle trap; and providing a dumpoutlet at a bottom of the chamber to permit the particulate matter to beremoved from the bottom of the chamber.
 15. The method as claimed inclaim 14 further comprising providing a deflector below a bottom end ofthe tube to increase dispersion of the flow stream as the flow streamenters the chamber.
 16. The method as claimed in claim 15 whereinproviding the deflector comprises connecting the deflector to the bottomof the tube.
 17. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein providing theplate wound helically around the tube comprises welding a plurality ofplates to an outside surface of the tube to form the plate.
 18. Themethod as claimed in claim 14 further comprising connecting the sideoutlet to a choke manifold.
 19. The method as claimed in claim 14further comprising connecting a dump outlet controller to the dumpoutlet to open and close the dump outlet.
 20. The method as claimed inclaim 19 wherein connecting the dump outlet controller comprisesconnecting a manual dump outlet controller to open and close the dumpoutlet.
 21. The method as claimed in claim 19 wherein connecting thedump outlet controller comprises connecting a hydraulic dump outletcontroller to open and close the dump outlet.
 22. The method as claimedin claim 14 further comprising coating an inner wall of the chamber toreduce wear.
 23. The method as claimed in claim 22 wherein coating theinner wall of the chamber comprises coating the inner wall of thechamber with a ceramic material.
 24. The method as claimed in claim 22wherein coating the inner wall of the chamber comprises coating theinner wall of the chamber with a graphite composite material.
 25. Themethod as claimed in claim 14 further comprising coating an inner wallof the tube to reduce wear.
 26. The method as claimed in claim 25wherein coating the inner wall of the tube comprises coating the innerwall of the tube with a ceramic material.
 27. The method as claimed inclaim 25 wherein coating the inner wall of the tube comprises coatingthe inner wall of the tube with a graphite composite material.
 28. Amethod of removing particulate matter from a high pressure flow streamproduced by a well, comprising: connecting the high pressure flow streamto an inlet at a top of a high pressure particle trap so that the highpressure flow stream enters a top end of a tube having only one insidesurface and being connected to the top of the high pressure particletrap so that the fluid flows downwardly through the tube and contactsonly the one inside surface of the tube before being expelled from thetube; providing a chamber below a bottom of the tube where the highpressure flow stream decelerates and a portion of the particulate matterfalls out of the high pressure flow stream and collects at a bottom ofthe chamber as the high pressure flow steam is redirected upwardlyaround an outside of the tube; providing a helical plate around anoutside surface of the tube to create a cyclonic effect in the highpressure flow stream as the high pressure flow stream flows upwardlyaround the tube and the plate so that more of the particulate matterfalls out of the flow stream and drops to the bottom of the chamber;providing a side outlet for the high pressure flow stream near a top endof the high pressure particle trap; and providing a dump outlet at abottom of the chamber to permit accumulated particulate matter to beremoved from the bottom of the chamber.
 29. The method as claimed inclaim 28 further comprising connecting a deflector to a bottom end ofthe tube against which the flow stream is propelled to increasedispersion of the flow stream into the chamber.
 30. The method asclaimed in claim 28 further comprising connecting a manual dump outletcontroller to the dump outlet.
 31. The method as claimed in claim 28further comprising connecting a hydraulic dump outlet controller to thedump outlet.
 32. A method of removing particulate matter from a highpressure flow stream produced by a hydrocarbon well, comprising:connecting the high pressure flow stream to an inlet at a top of a highpressure particle trap so that the high pressure flow stream enters atop of a tube having only one inside surface and being connected to theinlet so that the fluid flows downwardly through the tube and contactsonly the one inside surface of the tube before being expelled from thetube and dispersed by a deflector suspended from a bottom of the tube;providing a particle trap chamber below the bottom of the tube where thehigh pressure flow stream decelerates and a portion of the particulatematter falls out of the high pressure flow stream and collects at abottom of the particle trap chamber as the high pressure flow steam isredirected upwardly around an outside of the tube; providing a helicalplate connected to an outside surface of the tube to create a cycloniceffect in the high pressure flow stream as the high pressure flow streamflows upwardly around the tube following the helical plate, so that moreof the particulate matter falls out of the high pressure flow stream anddrops to the bottom of the particle trap chamber; providing a sideoutlet for the high pressure flow stream near a top of the high pressureparticle trap; and providing a dump outlet at a bottom of the chamberwith a dump outlet controller to permit accumulated particulate matterto be removed from the chamber.
 33. The method as claimed in claim 32further comprising connecting the side outlet to a choke manifold. 34.The method as claimed in claim 32 wherein providing the helical platecomprises welding a plurality of plates to the outside surface of thetube to form the helical plate connected to the outside of the tube. 35.A method of removing particulate matter from a flow stream produced by awell, comprising: connecting the flow stream to an inlet at a top of aparticle trap so that the flow stream enters a top end of a tube havingonly one inside surface and being connected to the top of the particletrap so that the fluid flows downwardly through the tube toward a bottomend of the tube and contacts only the one inside surface of the tubebefore being expelled from the tube; deflecting the flow stream into achamber after the flow stream exits the bottom end of the tube, whereinthe flow stream decelerates and a portion of the particulate matterfalls out of the flow stream and collects at a bottom of the chamber;redirecting the flow stream to flow cyclonically around an outside ofthe tube toward the top of the particle trap so that more of theparticulate matter drops to the bottom of the chamber; providing a sideoutlet for the flow stream near a top of the chamber; and providing adump outlet at a bottom of the chamber to permit the particulate matterto be removed from the bottom of the chamber.
 36. The method of claim35, wherein redirecting the flow stream to flow cyclonically around anoutside of the tube toward the top of the particle trap comprisesdirecting the flow stream past a plate wound helically around an outsidesurface of the tube.